Ask 2: Can Houston school crossing guards stop traffic on a main street to let cars exit a side street?

HOUSTON – Ask 2:

“Can school crossing guards stop traffic on a main street to let cars exit a side street even when there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk?”

Answer:

According to Sgt. Sasha Latham with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the duty of a crossing guard not only includes directing vehicles to yield to pedestrians, but also directing traffic within a school crossing zone. So, to answer your question, yes if the crossing guard is within that zone.

“If you are in that zone and the crossing guard tells you to stop, you have to obey their direction as if it was a peace officer asking you to stop. But one thing to keep in mind, they are doing everything with the safety of the kids getting to school in mind… I don’t think anybody would disagree. So, if they ask you to stop just stop,” explained Sgt. Latham.